This Kyō-yaki chawan by Yamakawa Iwao (山川巌) showcases the refined aesthetics of Kyoto ceramics, blending traditional motifs with the artist’s delicate painterly skill. Formed with a graceful round silhouette and finished in a soft ivory glaze, the bowl features finely crackled crazing that subtly enriches its surface with depth and age-like warmth.
Yamakawa Iwao (山川巌) is a Kyō-yaki (京焼) potter associated with the Kyoto ceramic painting tradition, active mainly during the Shōwa period (1926–1989). His works appear in mid-Shōwa craft markets and specialty shops, especially those selling hand-painted tea ceramics from the Kiyomizu-yaki district.
Encircling the body is a beautifully hand-painted bamboo motif (竹文)—a symbol of purity, resilience, and scholarly virtue in Japanese culture. Rendered in vibrant red and soft coral tones, each bamboo stalk and leaf is further highlighted with gold accents, giving the design an elegant shimmering quality. The artist skillfully incorporates areas of gold dust (金彩) and misty brushwork, adding atmospheric movement that complements the rhythmic vertical bamboo forms.
A charming piece that embodies Kyoto’s long tradition of painted ceramics, this chawan is ideal for tea gatherings where one wishes to highlight seasonal themes—particularly autumn, as the reddish tones evoke turning leaves and crisp air.
